Bree Hartley

I have lived in the City of Armadale since I was a few months old, when my parents moved from Gosnells to what is now called Mount Nasura (was Armadale at the time). I have lived in various parts of the local area, but my heart belongs to the hills!

What changes have you seen over time?

I have seen the area grow so much, both in the built environment and also the number of people that call this area home. I’ve also seen my primary school move from the old site where the shopping centre is now (where the old Jarrah tree is in the carpark) where it had been since the early 1900s, to up on the Darling Scarp on Carradine Road back in 1987 when I was in Year 2. I now work at the same school so it’s like a second home. I have seen so much habitat and tree canopy loss, and that is a real concern. The banksia woodland that was endemic to the area and supported black cockatoos had been reduced by so much, with Bob Blackburn Reserve near the pool (AFAC) a good indication of what used to cover so much of the area.

Tell us about your experience with the Roleystone Theatre.

I joined the Roleystone Theatre in 1997 as a Year 12 student. I did the summer junior workshop and then jumped straight into auditions for my first show ‘Oklahoma!’. I never looked back! I have been recognised for my ongoing involvement with life membership with the group, and am the current President. Looking back I can see the path from a young person just being involved on stage and helping set painting at busy bees, expanding my involvement to include musically directing shows, joining the committee at age 25 and then really becoming embedded in the management of the group. I also started the Roleystone Theatre Choir in 2004 and the choir still perform in the local area at events like the City of Armadale carols. The biggest challenge for the group in my time came in 2018 when the building was deemed to be structurally unsound, which led to a large community campaign and endless hours of working to ensure the real value of both the building and the theatre group were clear and visible. It is with incredible gratitude that we acknowledged the City of Armadale decision to rebuild the venue, while maintaining the heritage of the original 1922 hall. The 6 year journey of managing our involvement in the rebuild process, while also working to ensure the group stayed strong and kept performing in various venues with creativity and innovation was intense and at times like an uphill climb. Our incredible group of community volunteers never ceases to amaze me with what we can achieve with grit and a huge number of volunteer hours (most of which is ‘unseen;’ as most people just view the final performance and don’t realise the months and months of work that go into it). We have over 180 volunteer members and perform 5-6 shows each year to thousands of audience members, and I am thrilled to be part of that. I can't even grasp what my life might look like now if I hadn’t auditioned for that very first show back in 1997! 

Any hidden gems or favourite places you would recommend—whether it’s a scenic spot, a creative space, or a local café in the area.

Creative Soul sessions in Armadale is a hidden gem. Both a cafe and art space it is a unique and supportive environment. My children have done art workshops with Sandy and Pete for years, and the move to Challis Rd has meant they have been able to expand their courses and have an ‘art bar’ and cafe now too! Settlers Common in Bedfordale is special. A place of both Indigenous and more recent historical significance, it’s an incredible place for a bush walk with a multitude of trails to choose from. We are spoilt for choice in the local area when it comes to outdoor spaces, both cultivated and natural, and it’s the main reason I love living here!